Electrical switch having rotary and push actions

ABSTRACT

The disclosed electrical switch comprises a rotary carriage which carries a first contactor, engageable with contact points on the casing. An operating shaft is slidable through the carriage but is rotatable therewith. A second contactor is mounted on the shaft and has contact point elements engageable with contact sectors on the casing, when the shaft is pushed rearwardly. First springs are provided between the carriage and the first contactor. A second spring is disposed between the carriage and the shaft to bias the shaft forwardly. A third spring acts between the shaft and the second contactor so that it is yieldably mounted.

United States Patent Schaad et al. 1 May 23, 1972 [54] ELECTRICAL SWITCH HAVING 3,339,035 8/l967 Heller ..200 44 ROTARY AND PUSH ACTIONS 3,385,086 5/1968 Patriguin ...70/382 x [72] Inventors: William J. Schaad, Winnetka; Fred N- FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Schmidt, Mukwonago, both of Wis.

917,567 9/1954 Germany ..200/44 [73] Assignee: lndak Manufacturing Corp., Northbrook, v

Primary ExaminerRobert K. Schaefer 2 Filed: Nov. 9 9 Assistant ExaminerWilliam Smith AttorneyBurmerster, Palmatler & Hamby [21] App]. No.2 879,690

ABSTRACT [52] [LS- Cl ..200/44, 70/387 The disclosed electrical Switch comprises a rotary carriage [51] Int. Cl. ..Holh 27/00 which carries a first contactor, engageable i Contact points [58] Field Of Search ..200/42, 43, 44, /387, on the casing An Operating shaflis Slidable through the can 70/382 riage but is rotatable therewith. A second contactor is mounted on the shaft and has contact point elements engagea- [56] References cued ble with contact sectors on the casing, when the shaft is UNITED STATES PATENTS pushed rearwardly. First springs are provided between the carnage and the first contactor. A second spring is disposed l et a1 X between the carriage and the shaft to the shaft l 7506 8/ Rlggs X A third spring acts between the shaft and the second contactor 2,289,296 7/1942 Provan ..200/42 X so that it i yieldably mounte 2,758,164 8/1956 Ammlung et al.. .....200/45 X 3,200,623 8/ [965 Peters .70/282 X 8 Claims, 20 Drawing Figures Patented May 23, 1972 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 23, 1972 3,665,128

FIG i ELECTRICAL SWITCH HAVING ROTARY AND PUSH ACTIONS This invention relates to electrical switches, particularly switches intended for vehicular applications. For example, the invention is disclosed in connection with an ignition and starting switch for an internal combustion engine, such as an outboard boat motor. It will be understood that the invention will find many other applications.

One object of the present invention is to provide a switch having a rotary action and also a push action. The rotary action may be employed to control the ignition and starter circuits while the push action is arranged to control an electrical choke actuator, for example.

A further object is to provide such a switch which is rugged, reliable and economical in construction.

Accordingly, the switch of the present invention preferably comprises a casing with a carriage rotatable therein, and a shaft slidable through the carriage but rotatable therewith. A first contactor is mounted on the carriage and is engageable with first contact means on the casing. A second contactor is mounted on the shaft and is engageable with second contact means on the casing when the shaft is slid through the carriage in one direction. The shaft is biased in the opposite direction by spring means.

It is preferred to employ second spring means between the carriage and the first contactor, and third spring means between the shaft and the second contactor. The carriage is preferably detained in a series of positions by detent means.

The first contactor preferably comprises contact sectors engageable with contact points on the casing. The second contactor preferably comprise contact points engageable with contact sectors on the casing.

The shaft is preferably provided with a locking mechanism, with a key for unlocking and operating the shaft.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a switch to be described as an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view ofthe switch.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged central longitudinal section, with the key removed.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but with the key inserted into the locking mechanism of the switch.

FIG. 5 is an exploded or disassembled view of the switch.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the terminal head for the switch, taken generally as indicated by the line 6-6 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the terminal head, taken generally along the line 7-7 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the first contactor, taken generally along the line 8-8 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a rear view of the second contactor, taken generally along the line 9-9 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is a rear view of the carriage, taken generally along the line 10-10 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the carriage, taken generally along the line 11-11 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 12 is a front view of the torsion spring for the carriage, taken generally along the line 12-12 in FIG. 5.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are rear and front views of the shaft, taken generally along the lines 13-13 and 14-14 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 15 is a rear view of the casing, taken generally along the line 15-15 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 16 is a front view of the casing, taken generally along the line 16-16 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the locking member, together with its biasing spring.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged cross-section, taken generally along the line 18-18 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary longitudinal section taken generally along the line 19-19 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary section, taken generally along the line 20-20 in FIG. 18.

It will be seen that FIG. 1 illustrates an electrical switch 22 comprising a generally cylindrical casing 24, with a threaded stem or bushing 26, adapted to extend through an opening 28 in a panel or bracket 30. Nuts 32 and 34 may be mounted on the bushing 26 to clamp the switch to the panel 30. The illustrated switch 22 is of the key type and thus is provided with an operating key 36. However, it will be understood that the invention is applicable to various types of switches other than key switches.

The bushing 26 of the illustrated switch is relatively short. However, the bushing may be longer, or of various lengths, as indicated in broken lines in FIG. 1. v

As shown in FIG. 2, the illustrated switch 22 has three operating positions, designated Off," Run, and Start." However, the number of positions may be varied to suit different applications.

The illustrated casing 24 is molded from a suitable plastic material, but metal or other suitable materials may be employed. The illustrated bushing 26 is molded in one piece with the casing 24.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a carriage 38 is rotatably mounted within the casing 24. The carriage 38 is mounted on a shaft 40, which is slidable through the carriage, as will be described in greater detail presently.

The switch 22 incorporates a locking mechanism 42 for the shaft 40. Such locking mechanism is disclosed and claimed in the copending application of Fred N. Schmidt, Serial No. 877285, filed Nov. 17, 1969 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,621,682, issued Nov. 23, 1971 reference may be had for a detailed description. Thus, a brief description will suffice in the present application. The shaft 40 is rotatable in a generally cylindrical bore or opening 44, formed in the bushing 26. It will be seen from FIG. 3 that the shaft 40 has a reduced front member 46 which extends forwardly through an opening 48, formed in a flange portion 50, projecting inwardly at the front of the bushing 26.

The front portion of the shaft 40 is formed with a longitudinal key slot 52. A corresponding slot 54 also extends through the front member 46. The key 36 is adapted to be inserted through the slot 54 into the slot 52.

It will be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4 that the key 36 is adapted to engage a locking member 56, movably mounted in the key slot 52. The locking member 56 is shown to best advantage in the perspective view of FIG 17. A spring 58 is formed in one piece with the locking member 56. In this case, the locking member 56 and the spring 58 are made of sheet metal but other suitable materials may be employed.

The locking member 56 is formed with a key slot 60, through which the key is inserted. The spring 58 is in the form of a slender arm or leaf bent rearwardly from the locking member 56.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the locking member 56 is slidable transversely within the key slot 52. One end portion 62 of the locking member 56 is movable into a lock recess or slot 64, formed in the bushing 26. When the end portion 62 is in the lock recess 64, the shaft 40 is locked against rotation.

The key 36 is adapted to engage a portion 66 of the locking member 56, at the opposite end of the slot 60 from the end portion 62. The portion 66 is curled or rounded inwardly and is adapted to engage notches 68 in the key 36. It will be evident that the key 36 displaces the locking member 56 in such a manner that the locking end portion 62 is moved out of the lock recess 64. Thus, the shaft 40 is released so that it can be turned by the key 36.

A sealing ring 70 is preferably mounted around the shaft 40 and is adapted to engage the inside of the bore 44, so as to exclude dust and moisture from the interior of the casing 24. The illustrated ring 70 is retained between an annular shoulder 72 and a ridge 74 on the shaft 40.

It will be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4 that the shaft 40 extends through an opening or bore 76 in the carriage 38. The carriage 38 and the shaft 40 are formed with driving elements so that the carriage will always rotate with the shaft. As shown in FIG.

13, the shaft 40 is formed with key slots or grooves 78, adapted to receive splines or keys 80, projecting into the bore 76 from the carriage 38. It will be evident that the grooves 78 and the splines 80 permit sliding movement of the shaft 40 from front to rear. The shaft 40 is preferably biased in a forward direction by a spring 82, which is illustrated in the form of a compression coil spring, mounted around the shaft 40. The front end of the spring 82 engages the shoulder 72 on the shaft 40, while the rear end of the spring engages a hub portion 84 of the carriage 38.

The Off and Run positions of the carriage 38 are preferably established by detent means, illustrated as comprising detent ferrules 86, pressed against the front side of the carriage 38 by coil spring 88. Each ferrule 86 is in the form of a hollow cylindrical shell having a spherically rounded nose portion 90. The ferrules 86 and the springs 88 are positioned in openings or bores 92, formed in the rear side of the casing 24 as shown in FIG. 15. The ferrules 86 are slidably guided by the bores 92.

Two sets of detent notches or grooves 94 and 96 (FIG. 11) are formed in the front side of the carriage 38 for receiving the detent ferrules 86. These grooves define the Off" and "Run" positions of the carriage. The Start" position is undetented.

A spring return from the Start position to the Run position is provided by a torsion spring 98 (FIGS. 8 and 12), or some other suitable spring. The spring 98 is mounted around the hub portion 84 of the carriage 38 and has end portions 100 and 102 engaged with lugs 104 and 106 on the carriage. When the carriage is moved between its Run and Start positions, the end portion 102 is engaged by a lug 108 (FIG. on the casing 24, so that the rotation of the carriage causes additional stressing of the spring. Another lug 110 is formed on the carriage 38. The movement of the carriage is limited by the engagement of the lugs 106 and 110 with abutments 11.2 and 114 on the casing 24. In the illustrated switch, a first contactor 1 16 is mounted on the carriage 38 for rotation therewith, while a second contactor 1 18 is mounted on the shaft 40. As shown in FIG. 8, the first contactor 116 is generally ring-shaped and is formed with an opening 120 adapted to receive a rearwardly directed hub portion 122 of the contactor 38. Driving keys or tabs 124 are formed on the contactor 116 and are adapted to be slidably positioned in key slots 126 formed in the hub portion 122, as shown in FIG. 10. The keys 124 cause the contactor 116 to rotate with the carriage 38, while providing for relative axial sliding movement therebetween. The contactor 116 is biased rearwardly by springs 128, which are illustrated as three small compression coil springs. Seats 130 are formed in the rear side of the carriage 38 to receive and locate the springs 128.

The contactor 116 is bent or formed in a wavelike fashion so as to provide three contact sectors or segments 132 A, B and C, which are offset rearwardly from the remainder of the contactor 116. The biasing springs 128 are engaged with the front sides of the rearwardly offset contact sectors 132 A, B and C.

The rear side of the casing 24 is closed by a terminal head 134, shown to best advantage in FIGS 6 and 7. A variety of contact elements are provided on the terminal head 134, for engagement by the first and second contactors 116 and 118. Specifically, the first contactor 116 is engageable with five contact points 136B, M1, I, M2, and S, mounted on an insulating member 138. There is a sixth contact point 140C, but it is recessed into the insulating member 138 so that it is not engaged by the contactor 116. From FIG. 3 it will be seen that the contact points are in the form of the spherically rounded heads of rivets which extend through the insulating member 138 and are employed to secure terminals to the insulating member. Specifically, there are six terminals 142B, M1, 1, M2, S and C. The sufiixes stand for battery, magneto 1, ignition, magneto 2, start, and choke.

The contactors 116 and 118 are made of sheet metal, preferably copper or some other highly conductive material. As shown in FIG. 9, the second contactor is generally in the form of a disk having a central aperture 144. Contact points 146 A and B are formed rearwardly from the contactor 118. The contact points 146 A and B are spherically rounded, as will be evident from FIGS. 5 and 9.

The second contactor 118 is loosely connected to the rear end of the shaft 40. As shown in FIG. 3, this may be accomplished by means of a pin 148, driven or pressed into an axial opening 150 in the shaft. The pin extends through the central opening 144 in the contactor 118 and is formed with a head 152 which is received in a recess 154, formed in the contactor 118 around the opening 144. The rear end portion of the shaft 40 is formed with an enlarged recess 156 to afford clearance for the recessed central portion of the contactor 1 18.

Initially, the contactor 1 18 is biased rearwardly against head 152 of the pin 148, by a spring 158, preferably in the form of a coil spring mounted around the pin 148. A seat 160 is formed in the rear end of the shaft 40 to receive the spring 158. It will be evident that the connection between the shaft 40 and the contactor 118 provides for sliding and rocking movement of the contactor relative to the shaft. To insure that the contactor 1 18 will rotate with the carriage 38 and shaft 40, the contactor is formed with notches 162 for receiving the splines on the carriage 38 (FIG. 10).

The contact points 146A and B on the second contactor 1 18 are adapted to engage contact sectors or segments 1648 and C on the insulating member 138 of the terminal head 134. The suffixes stand for battery and choke. Thus, the contact sectors 1648 and C are connected to the contact points 136B and C, and also to the terminals 1423 and C. The insulating member 138 is provided with an insulating sector or boss 166 between the contact sectors 164 B and C.

Initially, the second contactor 1 18 is spaced forwardly from the contact sectors 164B and C, as shown in FIG. 3. However, the key 36 and the shaft 40 can be pushed rearwardly, so that the contact points 146A and B will be able to engage the contact sectors 1648 and C. The insulating boss 166 provides an Off position in which the contact points 146A engages the insulating sector 166.

It may be helpful to summarize the operation of the illustrated switch 22, although such operation will be evident from the preceding description. In the Off position of the key 36, the first contactor 116 establishes a circuit connection between the two magneto terminals 142M 1 and M2. The sectors 132A and B of the contactor 116 engage the contact points 136M1 and M2. The circuit between the two magneto terminals disables the magneto so that the associated motor will not run.

If the key 36 is pushed rearwardly, no circuit is established, because the contact point 146A engages the insulating sector 166.

When the key 36 is turned to its Run position, the connection between the magneto terminals 142M] and M2 is broken, while a connection is established between the battery and ignition terminals 142B and I. The contact sector 132B engages the contact point 1361 while the sector 132A engages the contact point 136B. In this way, the battery ignition circuit is energized.

If the key 36 is pushed rearwardly, the contact points 146A and B of the second contactor 1 18 engage the contact sectors 1648 and C so that a circuit is established between the terminals 142B and C. Thus, the electric choke, associated with the motor, is actuated to assist in starting the motor. The motor is actually started by turning the key 36 to its Start position, in which a connection is established between the battery and Start terminals 142B and S. as well as between the battery and ignition terminals 142B and I. If the key 36 is pushed rearwardly, the contact points 146A and B will engage the contact sectors 164B and C, so that the electric choke will be actuated, as before. As soon as the key 36 is released, the switch is returned to its Run position by the spring 98.

Because of the loose connection between the second contactor 118 and the shaft 40, the second contactor is able to rock relative to the shaft so that the contact points 146A and B will engage the contact sectors 1648 and C with approximately equal pressure. The spring 158 permits yielding movement of the contactor 118 and is effective to provide positive contact pressure between the contact points 146A and B and the contact sectors 164 B and C.

It .will be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4 that the contact sectors 1648 and C are mounted in a circular recess 170, formed in the insulating member 138. A circular ridge 172 extends around the recess 170. In addition to the insulating boss 166, a second insulating sector or boss 174 (FIG. 7) is formed on the insulating member 138, so as to project forwardly between the adjacent portions of the contact sectors 1648 and C.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the hublike rear portion 122 of the carriage 38 is pressed into the recess 170 by the spring 82. The rear end of the hub 122 rides along the bosses 166 and 174.

As shown in FIG. 9, the contact points 146A and B project outwardly beyond the contactor 118 and are adapted to be received in grooves 174A and B, formed in the carriage 38. The grooves 174A and B extend only part way along the bore 76, so that the contactor 118 will pass only part way along the bore. Thus, after the contactor 118 has been mounted on the shaft 40, the carriage 38 and the shaft 40 are retained in their assembled relation, with the spring 82 compressed between the shoulder 72 and the hub portion 84.

it will be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4 that the rear end portion of the casing 24 is formed inwardly to provide an inturned flange 176 which retains the terminal head 134. The casing 24 is preferably made of a plastic material, such that the flange 176 can be turned inwardly by a hot forming operation. On the other hand, the insulating member 138 of the terminal head 134 is preferably made of a thermosetting plastic material, so that it will not be softened or otherwise affected by the heat generated in the switch by the switching operations.

Various modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents may be employed, as will be evident to those skilled in the art.

We claim:

1. An electrical switch having rotary and push actions,

comprising a casing, an insulating carriage rotatably mounted in said casing, an insulating shaft having drive means connecting said shaft to said carriage for rotation therewith while providing for axial sliding movement of said shaft through said carriage,

said carriage having an axial opening therein slidable receiving said shaft,

said shaft having a manually operable front portion,

a first contactor mounted on said carriage for rotation therewith,

first contact means mounted on said casing for engagement by said first contactor during rotation thereof,

first spring means disposed between said carriage and said first contactor and biasing said contactor rearwardly for yielding engagement with said first contact means,

said casing having insulating means supporting said first contact means,

said shaft having an axial pin providing a rearward extension of said shaft,

a second contactor having an axial opening therein slidably and rockably receiving said pin,

second spring means disposed around said pin between said second contactor and said shaft for biasing said second contactor rearwardly,

second contact means mounted on said casing and spaced rearwardly from said second contactor for engagement by said second contactor upon rearward sliding movement of said shaft through said carriage,

said second contactor and said second contact means providing a pair of contact points for projecting therebetween, v I

and third spring means disposed between said carriage and said shaft and biasing said shaft forwardly for initially disengaging said second contactor from said second contact means, said shaft being slidable rearwardly against the biasing action of said third spring means to bring said second contactor into engagement with said second contact means,

said second contactor being rockable on said pin to provide for even distribution of contact pressure between said second contactor ans said contact means,

said second spring means providing for yielding of said second contactor relative to said shaft upon engagement of said second contactor with said second contact means.

2. A switch according to claim 1,

in which said second contactor provides said contact points.

3. A switch according to claim 1,

in which said second contactor and said second contact means provide contact segment means engageable with said contact points whereby a contacting action is maintained therebetween during rotation of said shaft and said carriage.

4. A switch according to claim 3,

in which said second contactor provides said contact points,

said second contact means providing said contact segment means.

5. A switch according to claim 1,

in which said second contactor provides said contact points,

said second contact means including a pair of contact segments engageable by said contact points to maintain a contacting action therebetween during rotation of said shaft and said carriage,

said contact segments having an insulating element therebetween engageable by one of said contact points in one rotary position of said shaft to provide an OFF position. I

6. A switch according to claim 1,

in which said second spring means take the form of a compression coil spring disposed around said pin between said shaft and said second contactor.

7. A switch according to claim 1,

in which said pin includes an enlarged element at the rear end of said pin for retaining said second contactor on said pin.

8. A switch according to claim 1,

in which said shaft comprises means for receiving an operating key,

and locking means for preventing rotation of said shaft in the absence of said key,

said locking means being releasable by the insertion of said key. 

1. An electrical switch having rotary and push actions, comprising a casing, an insulating carriage rotatably mounted in said casing, an insulating shaft having drive means connecting said shaft to said carriage for rotation therewith while providing for axial sliding movement of said shaft through said carriage, said carriage having an axial opening therein slidable receiving said shaft, said shaft having a manually operable front portion, a first contactor mounted on said carriage for rotation therewith, first contact means mounted on said casing for engagement by said first contactor during rotation thereof, first spring means disposed between said carriage and said first contactor and biasing said contactor rearwardly for yielding engagement with said first contact means, said casing having insulating means supporting said first contact means, said shaft having an axial pin providing a rearward extension of said shaft, a second contactor having an axial opening therein slidably and rockably receiving said pin, second spring means disposed around said pin between said second contactor and said shaft for biasing said second contactor rearwardly, second contact means mounted on said casing and spaced rearwardly from said second contactor for engagement by said second contactor upon rearward sliding movement of said shaft through said carriage, said second contactor and said second contact means providing a pair of contact points for projecting therebetween, and third spring means disposed between said carriage and said shaft and biasing said shaft forwardly for initially disengaging said second contactor from said second contact means, said shaft being slidable rearwardly against the biasing action of said third spring means to bring said second contactor into engagement with said second contact means, said second contactor being rockable on said pin to provide for even distribution of contact pressure between said second contactor ans said contact means, said second spring means providing for yielding of said second contactor relative to said shaft upon engagement of said second contactor with said second contact means.
 2. A switch according to claim 1, in which said second contactor provides said contact points.
 3. A switch according to claim 1, in which said second contactor and said second contact means provide contact segment means engageable with said contact points whereby a contacting action is maintained therebetween during rotation of said shaft and said carriage.
 4. A switch according to claim 3, in which said second contactor provides said contact points, said second contact means providing said contact segment means.
 5. A switch according to claim 1, in which said second contactor provides said contact points, said second contact means including a pair of contact segments engageable by said contact points to maintain a contacting action therebetween during rotation of said shaft and said carriage, said contact segments having an insulating element therebetween engageable by one of said contact points in one rotary position of said shaft to provide an OFF position.
 6. A switch according to claim 1, in which said second spring means take the form of a compression coil spring disposed around said pin between said shaft and said second contactor.
 7. A switch according to claim 1, in which said pin includes an enlarged element at the rear end of said pin for retaining said second contactor on said pin.
 8. A switch according to claim 1, in which said shaft comprises means for receiving an operating key, and locking means for preventing rotation of said shaft in the absence of said key, said locKing means being releasable by the insertion of said key. 